Neuman 'Surprised' by Tolliver's Retirement

Neuman 'Surprised' by Tolliver's Retirement

Neuman said looking outside the department for a replacement, she said, that's a given. However, she said it's not 'an absolute.' (Photo from AA County website)

Anne Arundel Executive Laura Neuman said she was 'surprised' by sudden retirement of Anne Arundel County Police Chief Larry Tolliver.

"We had a lot of conversations about the turmoil in the police department, but I was surprised," said Neuman.

Neuman talked with WBAL's Phil Yacuboski at a United Way charity event at Wegmans in Hunt Valley. She told him that county officials are looking for Tolliver's replacement, and that they won't make a 'hasty decision.'

"Clearly, there are long-term, systemic issues within the department and we need something short-term to get us over the hump in the next couple of weeks," she said.

Tolliver had admitted to using homophobic slurs on one occasion and later apologized. Two weeks ago, Neuman announced an investigation of Tolliver, who had been accused of retaliating against some officers who testified for the prosecution at the misconduct trial of former County Executive John Leopold. He said an investigation found that didn't happen, but did say in a statement, the department does need a chief who can 'focus solely on the department's mission.'

Neuman said looking outside the department for a replacement, she said, that's a given. However, she said it's not 'an absolute.'

Neuman also talked about the so-called 'rain tax.'

She vetoed the storm water management fee set by the county council saying she wanted lawmakers more time to come up with a new plan. The tax would charge a fee to a residential or business property based on the amount of concrete on the property. However, just days after she vetoed the measure council voted to override the veto.

"We all should be for the environment and we all should support it," she said. "My question is how it's being done," adding it was only the top ten jurisdictions in the state of Maryland that were a part of the process. Neuman said there are already a Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fee and other taxes. "My question is what we are already doing in a collaborative, overall effort. I just want to make sure that all of these efforts are working together and the money is being spent in the tributaries running in to the bay," adding that she was trying to make the best decision for people who live in Anne Arundel County.

Also this week, the council passed a law allowing people 18-years-of-age or older to carry stun gun, otherwise known as a taser.

Neuman acknowledged the bill is controversial.

"It is clearly protected by the Second Amendment, there's no question about that," she said. "But anytime you introduce a new firearm or new device it's always difficult for a certain group in our population and I appreciate that."

Neuman said one of the reasons she supports the bill is her own experience with violent crime.

Neuman was raped when she was 18-years-old in her Baltimore home.

"I woke up to a gun pointed to my head and it was touching my right temple and there was nothing I could have done at that moment to protect myself," she said.

Neuman said it took 19 years for the case to be investigated. He was later jailed.